Vascular Anomalies Clinic

The Vascular Anomalies Clinic at SickKids sees children of all ages with vascular malformations. The clinic also sees patients with selected vascular tumours, such as hemangiomas that require surgical or radiological treatment.  Most children with vascular tumours are cared for by the Vascular Tumour Service Clinic. 

To be seen at the Vascular Anomalies Clinic you will need a referral from your family physician, paediatrician or a medical specialist.  

This clinic sees patients from birth up to 18 years of age. Patients before birth with vascular anomalies are referred to the Vascular Anomalies Clinic from the fetal medicine specialists at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. For patients over 18, there are specialist adult clinics within the University Health Network (see below). 

Learn more about the Vascular Anomalies Clinic

What to bring: 

• Any medical information, such as referral letters, test results, information about current therapies, X-rays, CT and MRI scans. 
• On arrival, please hand in any scans you have brought with you to the clinic main desk. 

Directions: 

The Vascular Anomalies Clinic is part of the Plastic Surgery Clinic, located on the Main Floor, near the Black Wing elevators. From the University Avenue entrance, walk in, turn left and you will see Shoppers Drug Mart. Turn right past the Black Wing elevators and turn down the first hallway to your left. Registration for our clinic is in room M465. 

During your first visit to the Vascular Anomalies Clinic your family will consult with one of our physicians to discuss your diagnosis and possible treatment options if necessary. Procedures and most scans will not be performed at the initial visit. You will also meet the Vascular Anomalies Clinic nurse. 

As SickKids is a teaching hospital, your child may be examined by either a resident or fellow before seeing the staff physician. 

With family-centered care as an essential component of our multi-professional team approach, your visit at the Vascular Anomalies Clinic may also involve our team of plastic surgeons, the haematologist, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. A social worker can be consulted on an individual basis. 

To make your experience at SickKids a positive one, a Child Life Specialist may also be involved in your visit to provide therapeutic play programs designed to reduce stress, help patients cope with hospitalization, and prepare children for medical and surgical procedures. 

Care of patients above 18 years of age 

Patients who are over 18 years of age who have a vascular malformation are referred to dedicated Vascular Malformations Clinics at Toronto General Hospital or Toronto Western Hospital. These multi-professional clinics provide care for adult patients who are either transitioning from care at SickKids or seeing new referrals. The clinic at Toronto General Hospital is the only dedicated clinic for adults with peripheral vascular malformations in Canada. 

Contact details for adult clinics: 

For peripheral vascular malformations (ie. Affecting the body outside the head, neck, brain and spine) contact: 
pam.purdy@uhn.ca 

For neurovascular malformations (ie. Affecting the head, neck, brain and/or spine contact: 
gail.nixon@uhn.ca 

If your child has been seen through our clinic we will put you directly in contact with one of the adult clinics after your final visit here and ensure a seamless transition.